Washington State Senate Democrats: Derek Kilmer

Kilmer honored by Washington Fire Chiefs

Senate Democrats — Fri, 25 May 2012 17:37:00 GMT

The Washington Fire Chiefs named Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, an honorary chief this week, recognizing his years of work in the Legislature on issues affecting fire protection services.

"For years Sen. Kilmer has been very supportive of the Fire Chiefs and our issues. He's had an open-door policy and he’s served his constituents," said Mike Brown, executive director of the nonprofit organization.

The title of honorary chief is the highest honor the Washington Fire Chiefs can bestow, Brown said, noting that, at the group's state convention in Yakima, Kilmer was presented with a traditional white leather fire helmet.

"It has the symbolism of the leaders of the past and the leaders of the future. And Sen. Kilmer has met those expectations," Brown said.

The Washington Fire Chiefs, representing career and volunteer fire chiefs from across the state, educate and lead on issues important to the fire service in Washington.

“It’s an honor to be recognized by the Fire Chiefs,” Kilmer said. “Our fire chiefs, commissioners, firefighters and their families make enormous sacrifices. Firefighters put their lives on the line to keep citizens safe. We owe it to them to help them do their jobs – ensuring they can have adequate training, equipment and resources to respond in an emergency."

Jobs package addresses state debt

Senate Democrats — Wed, 02 May 2012 16:16:00 GMT

Sen. Kilmer teamed with his Republican counterpart, Sen. Linda Evans Parlette, in a recent column in The News Tribune on their work on the capital budget and state debt this year:

Last week the governor signed a state capital budget that has been described as a jobs package, one that will put 18,000 folks to work.

It is also important to note that the bipartisan group of legislators that crafted this capital budget focused on two important goals: state investments that drive long-term economic development, and a strategy to address our state's debt.

The Legislature’s approach to the 2012 supplemental capital budget will ensure that our state’s investments fuel job creation long after the hammers stop swinging and the concrete stops flowing.

For example, we know there are jobs waiting for graduates of Tacoma Community College’s health-professions programs. By investing in additional classroom space, we can help the college increase the number of graduates it produces in those growing career fields by as much as 50 percent.

Another example: New rail lines at the Big Pasco Multimodal Industrial Center will open more than 500 acres of industrial land to development – a move expected to immediately draw a new food-processing facility and 100 ongoing jobs to the area, as well as future developments.

The capital budget makes more than $1 billion in these sorts of long-term investments – infrastructure to help our ports export goods, facilities that will help our research universities partner with cutting-edge industries, better K-12 classroom space, and water-treatment facilities that will help our communities grow.

Overall, the capital budget is estimated to create 8,000 ongoing, private-sector jobs in addition to the 18,000 short-term construction jobs it will drive.

That immediate work will be welcomed by employers and families in the construction sector. While our state’s overall unemployment rate is just above 8 percent, construction contractors have laid off roughly 35 percent of their workforce. In some crafts and trades unemployment is above 50 percent.

Additionally, it makes sense for taxpayers to make these investments now, when interest rates and the costs of materials and labor are low.

Unfortunately, the state has traditionally taken on capital construction in good economic times – when available labor is scarce, contractors are busy, materials are expensive and borrowing costs are high. At the same time, debt restrictions have kept the state from investing when labor is plentiful, materials are cheap and borrowing costs are low.

That’s why the debate on the capital budget this year was part of a larger conversation about how the state funds construction on capital projects.

Debt payments are one of the fastest-growing areas of the state budget. They are competing for funds that are needed for other vital services, such as higher education and health care. Keeping debt costs under control is essential if we want to both build good schools and other public projects and fund them properly.

Because of that competition for limited tax dollars, the Legislature created the Commission on State Debt, on which we both served last year. The findings of the commission were clear: that state government should focus its investment during tough economic times, when prices are low, that we should make some smart reforms to reduce debt over the long term and better serve the interests of taxpayers.

While the federal government continues to debate the national debt, we came together this year on a bipartisan basis to reduce and reform our state’s approach to debt. This year the Legislature passed a proposed amendment to the state constitution (Senate Joint Resolution 8221), which will go before voters in November, aimed at addressing our state’s challenges in a few ways.

• It reduces the state debt limit relative to the overall budget from 9 to 8 percent over time.

• It uses a more long-term approach to determining the state’s debt capacity. Currently, economic booms tend to inflate the state’s debt capacity, and recessions reduce it, just when it’s cheapest to build and the construction industry could use a shot in the arm.

As noted in the nonpartisan analysis of the amendment, this measure is based on the debt commission’s recommendation to “stabilize the capacity to incur new debt in support of sustainable and predictable capital budgets.” It will also reduce debt service payments over time, all of which should provide confidence to the bond markets.

This broader, long-term approach to how the state crafts a capital budget, from the long-term focus of investment to the reforms to state debt policy, will work for Washingtonians long after the groundbreaking ceremonies that will be taking place this spring.

Kilmer jobs plan will spur long-term economic growth

Senate Democrats — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 15:27:38 GMT

A capital budget plan agreed to in the Legislature Wednesday will put more than $1 billion into economic development projects, creating more than 18,000 jobs across Washington.

"With this package, we are making smart investments now, helping our state put folks to work in the hard-hit construction industry and driving private sector job creation in the long-term," said Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, the lead capital budget writer in the Senate.

The bipartisan package will launch construction projects that not only put people to work in the construction trades immediately but lay the foundation for economic growth over the long haul, creating an estimated 8,000 long-term jobs.

For example, the package includes improvements to the Allied Health Building at Tacoma Community College. The college has a long waiting list for its health care training programs and there are jobs waiting for graduates with the skills necessary to fill them. This investment will leverage private donations and increase the college’s production of trained graduates in health fields by 50 percent.

The package also makes $33 million in investments in port and export-related projects, building on the state’s strength in international trade.

For instance, $3.2 million is funded for rail upgrades to the Port of Pasco. The addition of new rail lines will allow the port to open more than 500 acres of industrial land to development. One company has already indicated to the port that a rail line would facilitate the opening of a new food processing facility and the creation of 100 ongoing jobs.

The bill includes funding for an aerospace lab at WSU-Everett to help train engineers and similar investments in higher education aimed at job creation around the state in places that include Pierce County and Pullman.

Kilmer said there’s no better time to make these investments, citing today’s low costs for materials as well as low interest rates and, in some cases, federal dollars available for such projects.

The package is represented through Senate Bill 5127 & Senate Bill 6074.

Governor signs Kilmer bill to ease Tacoma Narrows Bridge tolls increases

Senate Democrats — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 21:48:00 GMT

The state will defer nearly $6 million in annual sales taxes that are helping drive increases in Tacoma Narrows Bridge tolls, thanks to a bill signed by the governor today.

"With an economy still healing, families still struggling and a recent spike in gas prices, this is the least the state can do for the people and businesses that depend on the Narrows Bridge every day," said Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, who sponsored the legislation.

"This gives us some breathing room," said Rep. Larry Seaquist, D-Gig Harbor. “But we still need to count every penny the state Department of Transportation spends on tolling so we can keep future toll increases as small as possible.”

Kilmer’s Senate Bill 6073 will defer sales tax due on the construction of the Narrows Bridge, saving roughly $5.8 million in costs to toll payers each year for six years. Seaquist sponsored companion legislation in the House.

The state Transportation Commission recently proposed toll increases of $1 to $1.50 per crossing on the bridge. The Tacoma Narrows Bridge Citizen Advisory Committee estimated Kilmer’s bill will save commuters 50 cents per crossing.

The original financing planning for the Narrows Bridge deferred the sales tax on the construction of the bridge until later this year, after which it would be paid in annual installments for the next decade. That was part of the state financing plan that also envisioned tolls rising every two years to meet escalating debt service obligations, eventually rising as high as $6 dollars for both cash payers and Good to Go! transponder users.

“I think asking people to pay a toll to pay tax on a bridge they are already directly financing with their own pocketbook is ridiculous,” said Kilmer. “I’ve long said we need to just exempt the bridge from the sales tax, period, but the deferral in this bill is a step in the right direction.”

The need to make sales tax payments, along with the escalating debt service payments and lower-than-projected traffic volumes, have driven the Citizen Advisory Committee and the Transportation Commission review the size of the toll increases.

Today tolls are $2.75 for customers using transponders, $4 for those who stop at tollbooths, and $5.50 for drivers who are photographed using the bridge without a transponder or paying at the booths.

Legislature passes bill to ease Tacoma Narrows Bridge tolls increases

Senate Democrats — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 05:40:00 GMT

The state would defer sales taxes that are helping drive increases in Tacoma Narrows Bridge tolls under legislation passed by the Legislature this evening.

Senate Bill 6073 would defer sales tax due on the construction of the Narrows Bridge, saving roughly $5.8 million in costs to toll payers each year for six years.

The bill was passed by the House on the same evening the Tacoma Narrows Bridge Citizen Advisory Committee was meeting to review proposed toll increases of more than $1 per crossing. The committee’s recommendations this evening suggest the bill’s passage will save commuters 50 cents per crossing.

“I’m pleased we can do something for the families and businesses that rely on the bridge every day,” said Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, who sponsored the legislation. “We can’t prevent increases entirely, but we can make a difference.”

“At a time when people are really feeling pinched, this will give us some breathing room,” said Rep. Larry Seaquist, D-Gig Harbor, who sponsored companion legislation in the House.

“I really appreciate the strong support of the Governor and our legislative leaders,” said Seaquist. He also praised the work of the Citizens Advisory Committee. “By watching every penny of the bridge’s budget and cutting expenses, these volunteers have kept tolls lower than projected.”

The state financing plan for the Narrows Bridge originally envisioned tolls rising every two years to meet escalating debt service obligations, eventually rising as high as $6 dollars for both cash payers and Good to Go! transponder users. In addition, the original financing planning deferred the sales tax on the construction of the bridge until 2012, at which point it would be paid in annual installments for the next decade.

The need to make those sales tax payments, along with the escalating debt service payments and lower-than-projected traffic volumes, have driven the Citizen Advisory Committee to review the size of the toll increases.

Today tolls are $2.75 for customers using transponders, $4 for those who stop at tollbooths, and $5.50 for drivers who are photographed using the bridge without a transponder or paying at the booths.

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A budget is about who you stand with

Senate Democrats — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 03:27:00 GMT

Faced with a surprise maneuver to pass a never-before-seen budget lat Friday, Sen. Kilmer made a series of speeches decrying the action. He challenged a move to cut $3 million in education funding to transfer to county fairs:

He defended higher education against further cuts to student assistance.

Although the budget passed, Kilmer voted “no,” saying in the end, a budget is about who you stand with.

Military spouses get an assist in bill passed by Legislature

Senate Democrats — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 05:19:00 GMT

When service men and women are deployed or stationed out of state, they sometimes have the option to bring their spouses with them. While the families stay together, it can create headaches when they return if the military spouse is in a profession that requires a professional license.

Under a bill passed by the Legislature Thursday, military spouses won't have to reapply for a license -- whether they are dental assistants, land surveyors or professionals in some other field -- when they return to Washington. They may have the license suspended during their absences, then reactivated when their family comes home.

"This bill essentially allows military spouses to press ‘pause,’ then reactivate when they return to our state,” said Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, who sponsored Senate Bill 6290. “It’s an important issue – two thirds of military personnel report that their spouse’s ability to continue in their chosen profession factors into their own ability to stay in the service.”

Of the 43,000 spouses of service men and women in the state, a third of them work in jobs that require a professional license, according to information provided by the Department of Defense. The department estimates that the unemployment rate for military spouses surpasses 20 percent.

Because more than three-quarters of military spouses say they want to work to help support their families, making sure they can get a job in their professions after being transferred to a new state is a high priority for the department. It was the subject of a recent report announced by Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta that recognized Washington state’s efforts in the area.

Kilmer has teamed with his colleagues in the Legislature to pass earlier bills to ensure the state recognizes the military training of veterans when issuing relevant professional licenses, and to make it easier for their spouses to obtain licenses in their professions when their families are transferred to Washington.

“In Washington state we’ve worked hard, and should continue to work hard to support the military families who serve our nation,” said Kilmer.

Senate Bill 6290 passed the House Thursday and had previously passed the Senate. It is now headed to the governor’s desk for her signature.

Video: Remembering Trooper Tony

Senate Democrats — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 05:00:00 GMT

Spending school construction dollars wisely

Senate Democrats — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 00:54:00 GMT

Sen. Kilmer honors fallen trooper

Senate Democrats — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 22:17:00 GMT

Sen. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor issued the following statement on the death of Washington State Patrol Trooper Tony Radulescu, who was fatally shot during a traffic stop Thursday near Gorst:

"We must always keep in mind the tremendous risks law enforcement officers take at every call. My condolences go out to Trooper Radulescu and his family. His sacrifice reinforces our commitment to ensure that both our troopers and their loved ones have the support they need, on and off duty," said Kilmer.

Kilmer represent parts of Kitsap County and the Bremerton area where Radulescu patrolled.

Radulescu, 44 and a veteran trooper of 16 years after having served in the military prior to that, was apparently shot while making a traffic stop. Radulescu had stopped a pickup truck and radioed the vehicle’s location and license plate number but dispatchers did not hear back from him after that. A Kitsap County sheriff’s deputy responded and found Radulescu wounded at the scene. He was later pronounced dead at St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma. The owner of the pickup truck was later found wounded at his home. Members of a SWAT team heard a single shot from inside the house as they approached the door, went inside and found him wounded by a self-inflicted gunshot.

In a press conference earlier today, State Patrol Chief John Batiste said that Radulescu worked out of the Bremerton patrol office and was immensely popular with his peers and throughout the community, to the point he was regularly requested as a speaker at local schools. Batiste said also that Radulescu is survived by a son serving in the military.